Mind over Miles

Endurance, Determination and Grit- The first ever man to run the length of Africa shares his inspirational story

10,000 miles. 16 countries. 352 days.

Hardest Geezer, Russ Cook, is the first person to run the entire length of Africa. From his starting point in Cape Agulhas, South Africa, through sandstorms in the Sahara Desert, rainforests, mountain ranges and long empty roads stretched out for miles in front of him, Russ ran the equivalent of 386 marathons finally crossing the finish line in Tunisia 50 weeks later.

Attempted kidnaps, being held at gunpoint in an armed robbery and the whole challenge left hanging in the balance when he was denied the right to cross Algeria, Russ never once contemplated giving up. When he crossed the finish line in Ras Angela, he did so with the eyes of the world on him.

Africa may have been his most physical challenge yet but it certainly wasn't his first- he's broken the record for the fastest car-pulling marathon and been buried alive for a week with nothing but water and a camera to record the experience.

In Hardest Geezer- Running Africa, Russ Cook shares how he turned his life around to face these challenges and shares his motivations and tales of incredible determination, sheer grit and endurance.

'You get one chance at life. Go and have a stab at it.'

About the Author

Endurance athlete Russ Cook, aka the Hardest Geezer, captured the attention of the nation when he became the first person to ever run the full length of Africa in April 2024. The 27-year-old from West Sussex raised more than e1 million for charity during the 352-day ultramarathon. In the build up to the momentous Project Africa, Russ had built a following on YouTube with content that proved his grit and determination. He is the only person to have run from Istanbul to London solo and unassisted, has he been buried alive for a week and holds the world record for the fastest marathon while pulling a car. Russ is also an adventure coach for The Running Charity, a national organisation guiding and inspiring young people by boosting their mental health and resilience.